Roy Williams Signs Four-Year Extension

UNC Athletic Comm.

05/17/2007

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- The University of North Carolina and men's basketball coach Roy Williams have agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2014-2015 season.

Williams, who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September, recently completed his fourth season as head coach of the Tar Heels. He sports a 106-30 record at Carolina and a 524-131 mark in 19 seasons as a head coach at Kansas and UNC.

"Roy Williams is the most complete coach in the country," says Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "I knew when we hired him he was an outstanding basketball coach, but he has also exceeded our every expectation in the manner in which he runs a basketball program. He believes in character first, he coaches for all the right reasons and he is a first-rate ambassador of our university. We are proud to call him our coach and pleased to extend his contract for another four seasons."

Williams originally inked an eight-year deal that began in 2003-04. The new contract terms include an annual base salary of $325,000 and $30,000 for expenses, plus supplemental income paid by the University that will range from $1.2 million to $1.5 million per year. It also includes standard bonuses for qualifying for and advancing through the NCAA Tournament and for graduation rates in the basketball program that meet or exceed the overall student body.

"Roy Williams is a great coach and a great teacher," says Chancellor James Moeser. "He values the academic journey and runs our basketball program with integrity. He has given his name, time and resources to support many aspects of University life. His support, both financial and inspirational, of the Carolina Covenant has given a voice to that wonderful program."

Williams won his 500th game on December 9, 2006, reaching 500 wins in fewer seasons than any coach in the history of college basketball. He is one of only four coaches in history with a winning percentage of 80 or better (with Clair Bee, Adolph Rupp and John Wooden) and is the only coach in history to have won at least one game in 18 consecutive NCAA Tournaments.

The 1972 Carolina graduate and native of Asheville, N.C., led the Tar Heels to the NCAA championship in 2005, has directed teams to five Final Fours, 11 regular-season conference championships and five conference tournament titles.

This past year, the Tar Heels went 31-7, won a share of the ACC regular-season crown, claimed the ACC Tournament championship, earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, advanced to the Final Eight and finished No. 4 nationally in the final Associated Press poll. UNC won the ACC regular-season and Tournament titles in the same year for the first time since 1982.

Over the last six seasons, Williams has led Kansas and Carolina to 169 wins, tied for the most in the country among all coaches, and has four 30-win seasons, more than any other coach.

"The confidence Chancellor Moeser and Dick Baddour have shown in me by offering this extension is flattering," says Williams. "I am excited about coaching at Carolina and look forward to these next eight years. I am past the point in my career where people refer to `that young coach Roy Williams,' but I know I can go this long. I just hope my players can put up with me."